A Story
The theme of A Story brought a wide range of subjects. Some were powerful in themselves, all had backstories that gave them even more force. As well as lots of entries, there was plenty of voting and for the first time we had a tie for #1. So I have chosen the one I didn’t vote for myself as the first in this group:
Pilgrims' Rest, Mpumulanga © Gabi Elliott 2010
Note the grave on the right, about halfway up the terraces. Gabi says: “it is the only gravestone which has been placed facing in the wrong direction in this cemetery. It has a cross of bones painted on it and the name etched is ‘Robber’s Grave’. The story is that the man buried there was a robber and was not afforded the privilege of being buried facing the sun as it rises over the mountains and the cemetery. He was damned for his sins by being placed in the wrong direction. Nobody seems certain whether it is fact or just a story..it is, however, the only grave that is facing in the wrong direction!”
This evoked quite a lot of discussion and Gabi responded: “…it is severe and it was the times! This apparently happened in the 1800’s…and it was a rough time…miners/immigrants/locals all vying for that elusive piece of gold to strike it rich. This cemetery is on the mountain above this small mining town… one of the first in this area many many moons ago. It is called Pilgrims Rest in Mpumulanga. The old part/original part of the town is now used as a tourist attraction but people still live there in the “newer” part.”
A Story: Mount St Helens
Mt St Helens © Renee M Hay
When Renee first posted this she did not tell us where it was, and one member asked, saying: “It looks as though it is sleeping with one eye open”. What a superb description of this volcano in Washington state, because of course once one knows the name it evokes memories of the havoc it unleashed back in 1980. It is now a U.S. National Monument.
Crosses: old tree
Cross in wood © Ingunn Bjørnstad 2010
Ingunn found this marvellous natural structure:
Crosses: old fence
Marita noticed the crosses in an old fence, and what a spectacular backdrop:
old fence © Marita Blomberg 2010
Out of the Ordinary: UFO – you decide
There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy Horatio © Steve Hine 2010
I love this shot. I know, I’m the curator and really shouldn’t have favourites but I think this is so very simple and so very clever. And a lovely place, too.
Favourite Places
- I am very fortunate to have traveled all over the world but never imagined that I would fall in love with the country of Slovenia. It’s rugged beauty, great food and amazing people have now made this one of my favourite places. ©Jeannie Mazur 2010
Favourite Places
We love the red ochre in the earth, the eucalypts and of course the water despite very little rain. One of our favourite places: Noble Falls. ©Lauren Risbey 2010
Favourite Places
©Claire Benson 2010
Favourite Places
Favourite Places brought a variety of scenes from around the world. The pictures are tranquil and joyful. Common themes were water and sunset/sunrise, with the most popular picture combining both. It was interesting that landscapes predominated: no homely firesides, perhaps because it’s summer here in the northern hemisphere. It’s time to be out and about, not curled up in the warm.
My favourite place to watch sunsets, Moira Lake.
©Steve Hine 2010
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